LOGINA month passed in the blink of an eye.The days that once dragged endlessly with fear, sleepless nights, and painful uncertainty had slowly begun to soften around the edges. Ethan’s condition had improved tremendously, his wounds healing far better than the doctors initially expected. The nightmares of blood-soaked hospital sheets and endless emergency alarms had finally eased.Today, sunlight flooded through the massive glass windows of the executive hospital ward, bathing the room in a warm golden glow.For the first time in months, the atmosphere inside the room felt… light.Alive.Excited voices filled the spacious ward that had practically become a second home to the Chase family.The Montgomery family had arrived early that morning alongside Grandma Chase. Bags had already been packed neatly at the corner of the room, flowers from well-wishers filled one side of the ward, and Eli had spent the last thirty minutes dancing around excitedly because her brother was finally leaving t
“I think Evelyn took the bait… though she’s not fully convinced yet. I’ll need to put in more effort to win her trust. Keep your end of the bargain.”Clara quickly typed the message and hit send.The moment the message disappeared from her screen, she let out a slow breath and leaned back against the hospital bed.The private treatment room was quiet, the faint smell of antiseptic lingering heavily in the air. Sunlight streamed through the half-open blinds, casting long golden lines across the polished tiled floor.Carefully, Clara raised her hand to touch the thick bandage wrapped around her forehead.A sharp sting shot through her head immediately.“Ahh…” she hissed softly, wincing. “Damn it…”Her fingers trembled slightly as she pulled her hand away.“If I had known she’d be this easy to convince, I wouldn’t have gone this far,” she muttered bitterly.“I still feel dizzy.”Her expression darkened for a moment before slowly twisting into a smile.Then again…Maybe the pain was worth
The moment the guard outside announced Clara’s arrival, the ward door suddenly flew open.Clara barged inside without waiting for permission.Her appearance was pitiful—hair disheveled, clothes wrinkled, eyes swollen and red as though she had cried endlessly for days. Before anyone could react, she dropped heavily to her knees.Bang!Her forehead slammed against the polished hospital floor.Again.Bang!Again.Bang!The sound echoed sharply through the luxurious executive ward, making Eli flinch slightly in her sleep.“Please forgive me… I’m sorry… I’m sorry…” Clara sobbed incoherently between each violent bow.Blood slowly stained the floor beneath her forehead.Adrian’s expression darkened instantly.“What the hell is the meaning of this?” he barked coldly.The terrifying sharpness in his voice caused even the guards outside to stiffen.But before Adrian could say another word, Evelyn gently placed a hand against his chest.Her touch stopped him immediately.Clara continued crying h
“Useless…” Adrian muttered under his breath, struggling to keep his anger under control.The veins along his jaw tightened as he stood inside the bathroom, one hand braced against the marble sink while the other gripped his phone so tightly his knuckles turned white. The cold bathroom lights reflected against his sharp features, making the fury in his dark eyes even more frightening.“And the Shadows?” he asked coldly.On the other end of the line, the guard swallowed nervously before replying.“They couldn’t pursue the suspect, sir. Your orders were clear—under no circumstance should any Shadow leave the person assigned to protect. Once Madam returned safely to the hospital, the biker disappeared into traffic.”Adrian closed his eyes briefly.Damn it.The fact that someone could boldly follow Evelyn after everything that had happened meant only one thing.The Black Circuit was preparing another move.“It’s fine,” Adrian finally said, though his voice carried a dangerous calm that ma
Evelyn slowly opened her eyes to the soft hum of machines and the faint scent of antiseptic filling the hospital room.For a moment, her mind was blank.Then reality rushed back all at once.Ethan.Her body jolted instinctively, but a dull ache spread through her limbs the moment she tried to sit up. She realized then that she had fallen asleep on the couch beside Ethan’s hospital bed.The ward was quieter now.Warm afternoon sunlight filtered through the partially drawn curtains, casting golden streaks across the polished floor and bathing the room in a calm glow. Compared to the chaos and terror that had filled the hospital over the past two months, the room finally felt… peaceful.And crowded.Her eyes slowly scanned the room.Her parents were there.Mrs. Chase Sr. sat quietly near the window with her cane resting against her chair, pretending not to wipe the corners of her eyes every few seconds. Isa and Alex stood nearby talking softly to Eli, while Adrian leaned against the tabl
Gradually, life began returning to normal.Well… almost.The world outside continued moving as though nothing had happened. Cars still filled the roads of Ellington City every morning, business deals were still signed inside towering corporations, and people still laughed freely in cafés and restaurants.But for the Chase family, time had remained frozen two months ago—the night Ethan was carried into the hospital soaked in blood.Two whole months had passed.Yet Ethan still hadn’t opened his eyes.His condition had stabilized weeks ago. The gunshot wounds were healing slowly, the bruises fading little by little, and the doctors repeatedly reassured the family that his vitals were strong.But he still wouldn’t wake up.It was as though his body had returned… but his soul was still trapped somewhere far away.And every passing day slowly drained the life out of Evelyn.She barely left the hospital anymore. The once radiant designer who dazzled runways with elegance and confidence now s
Clara leaned forward in the backseat, her eyes fixed on Evelyn’s car as she tailed it from a distance.“Make sure you don’t lose track of that car,” she snapped at the driver.She had spent days trying to uncover where Evelyn lived, and only last night had she finally followed her home. If she want
“The kids are safe. They’re with me.”Adrian’s voice was low and steady, but beneath it… something softer.“The girl is sleeping, and the boy is a little shaken, but they’re fine. You can pick them up at the mansion.”Evelyn had been pacing the living room, hands trembling, unable to breathe proper
Eli slipped quietly into Ethan’s room that night, just as he was about to drift off to sleep. He didn’t bother turning; he could already sense her presence.“Need something?” he asked casually, still lying on his side.“Not really… just wondering,” Eli replied, settling on the edge of his bed.Etha
“Isn’t that…” The assistant’s voice trailed off as he stared at the boy walking beside Evelyn. He turned slowly toward Adrian, confusion twisting his features. “Sir… are you seeing what I’m seeing?”Adrian didn’t answer. His eyes were locked—unblinking, frozen—on Ethan.“This has got to be a mistak







